Chelsea's Nemanja Matic: Premier League title is more important to Blues than Champions League

Jose Mourinho has never won the Champions League with Chelsea but midfielder Nemanja Matic claims that is not the club’s priority this season.

Mourinho has lifted the glittering trophy with Porto and Inter Milan while Chelsea’s victory in the competition came under the guidance of Roberto Di Matteo in 2012.

The Stamford Bridge side are in the last 16 of the Champions League this season and face Tottenham in the League Cup Final on March 1 but, says Matic, all eyes are on the Premier League title, which Chelsea last won in 2010.

“We still have three competitions to go for but to be honest the most crucial is the Premier League because for our club, for our supporters, the title is the most important,” says the 26-year-old Serb. “We will try to win that and then see what happens with the Champions League and the cup final against Tottenham, which is going to be an interesting and tough battle.”

Chelsea’s last-16 Champions League tie is against Paris St Germain, the first leg of which is in the French capital next Tuesday, but the Premier League leaders take on Everton at Stamford Bridge tonight with a seven-point lead over Manchester City and on course for an historic Treble.

Inspirational midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has 15 assists in the top flight, is expected to return after a hamstring injury but top-scorer Diego Costa is serving the last of his three-game ban.

Despite being without the duo the previous two fixtures — a 1-1 home draw with City and last Saturday’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa — the team have been able to increase their advantage. Matic admits Chelsea rely heavily on Fabregas and Costa but believes they have proved the squad is strong enough to compete without them.

Aston Villa v Chelsea - player ratings

Aston Villa v Chelsea - player ratings

1/12
Thibaut Courtois: 5

Looked very shaky – again. Entered this season looking supremely confident and unflappable under pressure, in recent weeks the opposite has been true. 5

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2/12
Branislav Ivanovic: 8

An absolutely fantastic finish for the second goal with his wrong foot. Undoubtedly the best right-back in the league right now. 8

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3/12
Gary Cahill: 7

Brought back into the team and dealt well with most of what Villa could throw at him. 7

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4/12
John Terry: 7

Another smooth performance from the centre-back who seems to be getting better as the season goes on. 7

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5/12
Cesar Azpilicueta: 8

After badly struggling against Man City last week the full back returned to form. He was strong defensively and provided the burst for the crucial second goal. 8

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6/12
Ramires: 7

Protected the defence well but didn’t get forward like he usually does, probably under instruction. Tidy on the ball but didn’t offer the same threat as Fabregas (obviously). 7

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7/12
Nemanja Matic: 8

Another great performance from the giant Serbian, though he isn’t quite as effective without his usual partner beside him. 8

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8/12
Willian: 8

Played like somebody who knows his place in the starting XI is under serious threat. For once was able to provide a telling ball, providing an assist for Hazard’s opener – just his second all season. 8

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9/12
Oscar: 6

A decent game from the Brazilian without being outstanding, but he was badly beaten by Gil for the cross that lead to the goal. 6

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10/12
Eden Hazard8

Again Chelsea’s biggest threat, scoring the first with a sweeping finish. Whether he played on the left or the right he provided a dangerous threat all afternoon. 8

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11/12
Didier Drogba: 6

Started well but slowed down considerably after the break. Chelsea might be better off starting Remy and leaving Drogba as a late impact sub. 6

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12/12
Juan Cuadrado: 6

Only managed to come on for the last 10 minutes with the game in the balance. With Chelsea looking to close out the game he mostly played on the back foot, though he showed a couple of good flashes of pace. 6

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He added: “As you know we need every player but especially Fabregas and Costa. We miss them, we know that. But we have good enough players to fight without them. We have 25 players in the squad and I am very happy because everyone has shown they can be counted on and play in every moment.

“It doesn’t matter who plays, Chelsea play the same way. We fight for each other and that’s the most important thing. We showed again at Villa that Chelsea are a team and are not relying on individuals. We want to continue like this. The good thing about the two of them missing a few matches is that I expect them to be more fresh.”

Romelu Lukaku is set to play at the Bridge for the first time since his £28million summer move to Everton. The 10-goal striker started just one League match for Chelsea after his £18m move from Anderlecht in 2011 and Matic knows the Belgian has a point to prove.

“Romelu is a great striker,” he said. “He is very strong and dangerous. We will try to control him but he will play with a special motivation against us because we are his former club.

“But we are ready to compete. We know that all the Everton players have quality and will try to prepare ourselves in the best way. It doesn’t matter who is against us, we are not scared.

“In the first game against them this season, we scored six goals (in a 6-3 win) and I don’t think that will happen again. We just want to win. It doesn’t matter if it is six, or 1-0. We need just three points.”